Plane Ditches in Hudson; Broadway Can't Beat This Choreography

It has drama, stars, daring feats, heroes and slick choreography, but it's not a Broadway show. It's the story of a US Airways plane that landed in the Hudson River yesterday minutes after takeoff from La Guardia Airport in New York (and just slightly upriver from my home town).

It's the story of quick-thinking pilot Chesley B. Sullenberger III, who decided to head for the water instead of the densely populated areas on the New York and New Jersey shores when his aircraft apparently lost both engines after hitting a flock of birds. Sullenberger's deft piloting of the craft resulted in the survival of all 155 passengers and crew.

Passengers in the emergency rows of the plane apparently manned the doors and had them opened within seconds of hitting the water and it appears that the plane's crew conducted one of the fastest and most perfect evacuations ever. I have been responsible for evacuating large numbers of people in emergency situations, so I can tell you it's not as easy as you might think.

Meanwhile, ferry and sightseeing boats, in an immediate and marvelously choreographed effort, headed toward the plane and rescued passengers from frigid water and air. Ordinary folks on these boats as well as official rescue boat personnel offered their coats, gave hugs to warm the survivors and offered their cell phones so they could let loved ones know they were all right. New York and the tri-state area is not only home to some of the greatest theater in our country, but to some of the nicest people as well. If you're not from this area, you might scoff, as New Yorkers in particular have a reputation for being unfriendly, but my experience has been that in times of trouble, we've got your back.

How ironic that President George W. Bush's first and last messages from the White House should coincide with tragic events involving plane crashes in New York. His first was on Sept. 11, 2001 and there wasn't one New Yorker who saw that low-flying plane yesterday who wasn't transported back to that day for a moment. How exciting, though to see the quick and organized response of rescue, to see people rushing to help others and to feel a surge of pride that Americans like Sullenberger, who apparently went back through the cabin twice personally to make sure everyone was out, can be heroes.

Lots of prayers were offered on that plane when it was going down and later by others watching and hearing about the event. I add mine for quick healing for the passengers who were injured and some of praise and thanks for a "miracle on the Hudson."

Read the full story here: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/16/nyregion/16crash.html?partner=permalink&exprod=permalink